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How to Clean the Fish to make Striped Bass

Fish was probably among the first foods consumed by our ancestors dwelling near bodies of water that have covered over two-thirds of the earth’s surface for millions of years. Since prehistoric times until the present, marine creatures of all shapes and sizes inhabit salt waters surrounding islands and longer coastlines of bigger land masses; brackish waters found in river deltas linking mainland to the sea; and the freshwater lakes, streams and ponds. Before the discovery of fire and cooking with heat, they consumed food raw, salted with sea water and dried together with other foods foraged from the wild. Raw sashimi and ceviche are still popular but are now eaten off a plate with chopstick or forks,

Thousands of years later, in the present modern day age, mankind continues to reap the bounty of the sea with multi-million dollar fishing vessels catching tons of fish in one go using a variety of methods that collect deep sea species or those dwelling on the water’s surface. One the other end of the line, a simple homemade fishing rod made from a length of bamboo or tree branch, some fishing line, hook and bait can catch fish one at a time from a still body of water like a pond.

Fish is a major food resource throughout the world and can either be caught from the wild or cultivated in open sea of fresh water pens, ponds and cages. There are literally hundreds of varieties that lend themselves to a variety of culinary applications. Even the most seasoned chef cannot claim to have mastery over all because the flavor and texture of each kind varies. Some are as big as a dining room table like different varieties of deep sea tuna which are popular throughout different cuisines of world while others are tiny like anchovies and sardines which are canned and make a convenient breakfast, snack or sandwich. Others are endemic to small bodies of water and can fetch high prices due to rarity. Environmentalists and animal right activists contest the consumption of some marine species due to depleted populations.

In general, deep sea fish are higher in protein and omega fatty acids and low in saturated fat making it a popular food for dieters. In fact, pescetaranism was coined for those who refrain from eating red meat but allow themselves seafood. Health benefits from a consuming a lot of fish include improvements in brain function and heart health.

At home, care must be taken to buy, clean, store and cook fish as it can develop an off smell and bad taste quite easily if one doesn’t know how to purchase and handle it. In general, look for bright eyes, red gills, firm flesh and complete scales which are all indications of a fresh specimen. There are several recipes shared here categorized according to variety and cooking method.